Today is Tuesday, December 15, the 349th day of 2009. There are 16 days left in the year.

on this date

In 1711, the plague breaks out in Copenhagen.

In 1916, the French defeat the Germans in Battle of Verdun.

In 1957, the United Nations rejects Greece's proposal that Cyprus is entitled to self-determination.

In 1961, former Nazi SS Colonel Adolf Eichmann is sentenced to death in Jerusalem for organising the deportation of Jews to concentration camps.

In 1964, Canada's parliament adopted a new national flag with a red maple leaf on a white background.

In 1989, a popular uprising begins, resulting in the downfall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

In 1998, Northern Ireland's most ruthless Protestant paramilitary group, the Loyalist Volunteer Force, promises to start disarming by Christmas.

In 1999, Venezuelans overwhelmingly approve a new constitution that eliminates the Senate and vastly increases the power of President Hugo Chavez, endorsing his plans to overhaul the political and economic system allowing him to stay in office for up to 13 years.

Thought For Today

"History is the record of an encounter between character and circumstances" — Donald Creighton, Canadian historian (1902-1979).